Liverpool legend believes Arsenal are not serious title contenders this season, insisting it’s a two-horse race between Manchester City and Liverpool.
Mikel Arteta’s side continued their superb start to the year after thrashing Burnley 5-0 to move up to second in the Premier League table.
The win at Turf Moor came under a week after the Gunners hammered West Ham 6-0 at the London Stadium.
However, Barnes is not convinced by Arsenal’s title credentials after they failed to get over the line in the latter stages of the season last term.
‘City are the favourites, I make Liverpool the second favourites,’ Barnes said speaking on Premier League Productions.
Arsenal were in a better position last year, but I’ve said since the Premier League started: March, April is when you really start to look at who the runners and riders are, because you have teams like Aston Villa and Tottenham who [looked like contenders] six weeks ago.
‘When you’re coming into the end of February/March, it’s all about can you just get a result, and Man City are all conquering, all dominant in that respect.
‘Liverpool for me are the closest challengers because there are certain games where Liverpool haven’t played well but have got a result.
Barnes added: ‘Arsenal have to play well to win and if they don’t play well they may not win, and that is why as much as they’re doing well now I still think it’s between Man City and Liverpool.
‘Liverpool winning today is going to put the pressure on. Man City will handle that pressure. City won’t get nervous that Liverpool are getting away from them because they are such an incredible team. Liverpool playing first will affect Arsenal but not Man City.’
Liverpool remain two points clear at the top after thrashing Brentford 4-1 in west London on Saturday.
However, it was manchester City who dropped points this weekend after being held to a 1-1 draw by Chelsea at the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola’s side will have the opportunity to narrow the gap to the top to one point when they host Brentford on Tuesday night.
